Neil_c

Hi Traveling in January 2024, we are arriving at LAX after 11 hour flight from London. we have 2 nights in hotel before departure from San Pedro cruise port. Looking for recommendation of hotel that is convenient for either sightseeing and/or port as this our 1st time in LA need help TIA Neil

I used an online app Freetrade. N o transaction costs. Monthly statement shown in app. Just send pdf of statement to claim with no problems from P & O and Princess

Hi I use Freetrade no transaction costs and easy to print off statement with shareholding on to send with email asking for benefit. Used a couple of times with no problem

I always find this topic interesting as it shows up a real cultural difference between US and UK. Here in the UK tipping is not the norm in bars and much less in Hospitality generally. P & O and other UK based lines have removed all the gratuities , they have just rolled into the cost of the cruise, which suits our mentality better. On Princess if we have the Plus package would not think to tip. If not on Plus would not add to the 18% already added. Having said that we usually tip the room steward if they are up to usual standard. What the crew want is their service marked as 5 stars on the questionnaire. PS Not sure but I think it is illegal to tip in Australia

I agree we have come back from the Ventura 35 day cruise. Had a great time, yes there were thing not as they were before. Menu in MDR was varied but very little Salmon. Main complaint heard was no turndown service at night (did not bother us ) also lack of chocolate on the bed at night, although nobody seems to eat them rather they are taken home for Grandkids

No it was an issue but I do not know the outcome of the "guilty" man so did not speculate. I was told security was involved with both

We were on the Ventura cruise - The "stabbing "incident according to a post on another site from a family member was not a stabbing but a medical incident that escalated due to another family member with ADHD shouting. The "Grooming" incident - was an allegation of inappropriate touching against 2 men 1 of whom was not guilty - according to a post by 1 of the men The call for the missing lady at 5am was according to a post from the lady in question a domestic dispute where she went a slept on deck. There were no incidents of loud drunken behaviour we saw. there was a number of people who seemed to delight in passing on unsubstantiated rumours. Some people on the cruise seemed to go on with an attitude of not wanting to enjoy themselves but rather moan. Being a long cruise the average age of the passengers was apparently 75 (seems right). Who were well behaved (except for the moaning).

Yes as far as 2022 is concerned not sure for 2023, I have heard on another group that the world cruise in early 2023 that passengers had received emails that they needed an observed test, not sure is this is true and if they have been informed of any change. I do not know if this is true but i would only suggest that if you are booked on a cruise over 14 days, I would keep checking your personaliser Neil

Up to Tuesday a observed lateral flow was required. Now you self test and provide picture yourself showing test with ID and date and time showing. I am going to put strip on top of iPad with passport and take photo. P&O website is now updated and showing this.

Just received Email saying that observed lateral flow tests are no longer required for this cruise. If you are on it check your emails (including spam) for the new requirements. I think this is in reaction to the difficulty in a lot of people having difficulty in getting test as a lot of the providers are closing down due to lack of demand Neil

I fully agree with your comments. It seems to me a number of people go on a ship with an attitude that all must be perfect to their standards and are looking for things which do not meet them and if you look hard enough then you can find something to moan about. I go with the attitude of | am going to enjoy my cruise and if there are issues I will either ignore, if they are small, or complain onboard if they are major and impacting my enjoyment. This has worked over a number of cruises with P&O and other cruise lines. Yes it is different post covid but I can cope with the lack of turndown and no chocolate on pillow and slightly less choice in MDR. On Ventura in a couple of weeks and looking forward to it

Just spoke to our insurers Staysure about declaring covid on our annual policy this is their response "you only need to add covid in if you have long covid, you had any over night stays in hospital due to it, were prescribe medicine due to it, have/had a medical condition due to it"

We booked a departure time on 11 June for 8:40 and was actually picking up our car at 8:40! after leaving lounge at 8:25 straight off ship luggage all waiting for us, extremely smooth